I subscribe to
Bookperk, a splendid e-newsletter that offers ebooks for prices between free and $4.99. These are mostly books written for adults, sigh. But every now and then, an awesome kids' book is offered.
I
think that's where I purchased
The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman. If you enjoy books that revolve around puzzles, this book is for you. I read
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein and enjoyed it.
The Gollywhopper Games is every bit as good, in my opinion.
One of the things going for
Gollywhopper is that the games truly resemble reality games from TV. Adults are monitoring every step of the way and they intervene when necessary - which only happens once.
Another thing that I enjoyed is that the book's backstory adds tension to the games. Gil's father once worked for Golly Toy Company and left under accusations of embezzlement. He was found innocent but his son's life has been very unpleasant ever since.
When Gil qualifies for the games and then passes the first two tests, the Golly Toy Company's president tries to get Gill to drop out. He offers to pay Gil off!
Gil's fellow contestants fall into typical kid lit stereotypes; the airhead beauty who just wants to be on TV; the rich kid whose parents spent thousands of dollars to ensure his place in the games; one of Gil's schoolmates who is an athlete and a hothead; and the quiet studious genius. These are the final five players who must work together as a team and then against each other. But each player gets a chance to shine. I liked that a lot.
The puzzles and challenges are fun and well-described as well.
Up until now, I have felt that I don't visualize as well when I read an ebook as I do when I read a paper book. After reading
The Gollywhopper Games, I think that perhaps it is the book itself that causes the problem. I had no problem visualizing the colorful toy factory, the hallways, or the games.
The Golly Toy Company finds out who embezzled that money. Gil learns a lot about himself and so do his fellow contestants. This is a book I might even read again. High praise from me.
PS. It appears that the world is demanding another set of Gollywhopper Games and the Golly Toy Company aims to please its customers.
Holly and I took a field trip to the dog park today. There we met Joey and his mom and their beautiful and friendly Irish Setter, Flash. After Holly showed Joey all the cool tricks she can do, we humans eventually got around to the really fun stuff--talking about books.
Joey was on the lookout for some good summer reading. I offered him a couple of favorites:
The Gollywhopper Games received the 2008 Midwest Choice Book Awards Honor for Children's Literature. And the book is also up for possible readers' choice awards in both Alaska and Texas.
The Graveyard Book won this year's Newbery Award as well as honor book in the recently announced
Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards. Follow the link for the other selections.
Of course, a library is a great place to visit this summer for expert advice on good books. Plus, they usually have special programs designed for kids of all ages.
Some other fun things to do this summer can be found online. Visit the AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION's list of great
websites for kids. I've mentioned a few of the websites before, like
ReadKiddoRead and
Giggle Poetry. But there are lots more suggestions for summer adventures from math to art to science to film making.
Joey also shared with me that he enjoys cooking. Yum! Yum! Don't forget that I have some tasty recipes on my website.
Dirty Worms seems like an appropriate dish for summer fare. For more recipes, click on this
link. There you'll also find games, crafts, puzzles, and more reading adventures.
This Saturday libraries across the United States are sponsoring a NATIONAL GAMING DAY. Of course, we all know how much fun it can be to visit a library on a regular day--with all the books, magazines, computers, videos. Not to mention story times, book talks, and special programs.
NATIONAL GAMING DAY will be "the largest, simultaneous national video tournament ever held." How cool is that? This could possibly make it into
Ripley's Believe It or Not, don't you think?
And Hasbro has donated a
PICTUREKA game to every public library branch in the U.S. so board games can be played as well. They'll try to set a record for the most people playing a board game in the U.S. as well as a video game. It sounds like your local public library is the place to be this Saturday.
To find out more information about
NATIONAL GAMING DAY at your library, call your closest branch. Or click on the link above and read all about it. There is an online map you can use as well.
If you can't join in the fun on this Saturday (or if your library isn't taking part in National Gaming Day), you can try
The Library Camp Out game at my website. Or the
Breezy Geography Match Up game would be great one to take along to the library. And if you want to check out one of the coolest stories about gaming, try Jody Feldman's
THE
Here's to good games and good reading!
Review by Becky Laney, frequent contributor.
If Gil Goodson was to have a chance, any chance at all, he would have to run faster than he was running right now.
I enjoyed
The GollyWhopper Games. It's part
Chasing Vermeer. Part
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Part
The Mysterious Benedict Society. In other words, it's a whole lot of fun. The Golly Whopper toy company is having a contest, a true once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Thousands and thousands of kids want to make it, hope to make it, but no one wants it more than Gil Goodson. His father was fired from the GollyWhopper company--falsely accused of embezzling the company's funds. He's been proven innocent, but the Goodson family is still the town's scapegoats. Gil Goodson wants to win, and if wanting gives you power, then he's fully charged and ready to go. But is he ready to face all of the obstacles and challenges in his path?
Gil is a likable narrator. He is. He's a kid--much like Charlie Bucket--who you want to win. I should note that the other contestants aren't as detestable as Charlie's competitors. The games, the challenges, require mental, emotional, and physical prowess. The finals of the game--for example--require each team of five to solve a logic puzzle. After the mind has been stimulated, then there is a physical stunt required. The puzzles are puzzling. Meaning, the reader can have just as much fun as the characters themselves. For those that love the puzzle-solving elements of Chasing Vermeer and Mysterious Benedict Society,
The GollyWhopper Games might be just what you're looking for.
A book that encourages higher thinking skills? A book that encourages team work? A book that encourages determination and diligence? What's not to love?
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Some--but not all--readers might find it a bit predictable. Some might not be on the edge-of-their-seats waiting to see if Gil wins the big game. But even if it is a wee bit predictable on that front, it is satisfying. And being satisfying is important too. After all, I wouldn't want anyone other than Gil to win!
The hot seat is getting even hotter with Elizabeth Bird, aka Fuse #8! She's one of the top 50 reviewers on Amazon and has reviewed for School Library Journal and Kirkus among others! She's got Jody Feldman's Gollywhopper Games in her TBR pile, and so could you! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment before June 29th. Winner will be announced June 30th! Let's get started:
What's your handle? Well, the blog is called A Fuse #8 Production. So I end up signing much of my correspondence (correspondence, in this case, meaning comments on other blogs) as Fuse 8. The name hasn't any real connection to anything children's literary whatsoever. It's named after my car, but I've found that it sticks appropriately in people's brains, so I am pleased.
What kind of books do you review? I review children's books. Basically anything between the ages of 0-12. I have been known to make exceptions for teen and YA titles, however, if they are A) Necessary in terms of communicating with my co-workers (Sherman Alexie is a good example of this) or B) Graphic novels. First Second's line of GNs, for example, are infinitely reviewable.
Approx # of books reviewed? Uh-oh. Ever or on blogs? The difficulty in answering this is that I don't quite know. In terms of children's books I make sure to duplicate all of them onto Amazon.com. Right now I'm #48 of the top Amazon reviewers with 1,458 reviews on there. That doesn't count my reviews on Epinions.com, where I put all my YA reviews. That just comes to 95. Then on top of that you have my professional reviews written for places like School Library Journal and Kirkus. I guess I'd estimate that I've done some 150 or so of those. So... a lot.
Where can we find your reviews? Well, everything ends up on my blog anyway, but not too long ago Kelly Herold of Big A little a created a Children's Book Reviews Wiki. You can find many of my aggregated reviews on my own little separate portion of the site at A Fuse #8 Production Collection of Reviews. I'm still adding them from my old blog site, so it isn't complete yet, but it's getting there.
Reading turn-ons: New takes on old tropes. Humor. Sentences that make me want to hit my knee in glee.
Reading turn-offs: Familiarity without a sense of anything fresh or new. Celebrities who think that writing for children is a piece o' cake. Poorly done humor.
Class of 2K8 books reviewed: Well, truth me told there were so many YA novels this year that I haven't had much of a chance to review anyone. I do have Gollywhopper Games in my To Be Read pile, though, so I think that I'll make that one the next book I read.
You won't be disappointed! But before you dive into Gollywhopper Games--let's dive into the questions! Tell us more about how you came up with your alias, Fuse #8! A little bit about how you got into book reviewing would be cool too.
Well, I came about it in a weird roundabout way. Years ago I had a car. A little 1989 Buick Century. It was my grandmother's, so you can imagine the state it was in around 2000. One day I drive it home, park it in front of my apartment, and take out the key. All of a sudden the locks on the car start going up and down and up and down and up. Clearly the vehicle is possessed and, worse still, it's shorting out the battery. Now I had just graduated from college and the last thing I needed in my poor poverty-stricken state was a huge car bill. But I dutifully walked it into a Richmond, Indiana garage. The fellow there hears my problem, reaches into my glove compartment, and pulls out . . . .Fuse #8. Turns out, the little fuse (once removed) solved all my woes. How does this apply to my blog, you say? Well, my husband's a bit of a filmmaker. Years ago he was looking for a good name for a production company. We tossed about a couple titles when all of a sudden I said "A Fuse #8 Production". That idea was squashed, but I liked the sound of it so much that I vowed to someday put it on something myself. When the blog idea popped up it was a perfect fit. And so it goes. Since then I've thought of more appropriate blog names, but this one will do for now.
As for reviewing, I came across it during library school. On a lark I had taken a children's literature course (I really wanted to be an archivist, originally) and part of the course consisted of learning how to write reviews of children's books. In fact it was so much fun that I started doing it on Amazon. As I kept reviewing I got better. Then I started to do it professionally. Finally I was doing it professionally for pay.
We're so happy that lark turned into much much more (and that your car was not possessed!). Speaking of school, let's talk grading systems, describe how you rate books in your reviews and how that translates to the reader?
Grading system. Hm. I don't do much of one on my blog. I know that some bloggers like to use "five star" systems and the like. I once thought about doing a "five fuses" thing on my site, but it was too much work. I do participate in grading on Goodreads and Amazon, though. Basically I don't give many low scores. Only if a book particularly offends me or I perceive it to be insulting to the child reader. Middling books that are fine if not extraordinary get 3s. Most books get 4s. They're strong but they just don't have that extra oomph to give them a 5. 5s are reserved for the cream of the crop.
That sounds fair, so how do you pick the books you review? Or are they picked for you? Do you ever read books that wouldn't normally interest you—and if so have you ever been surprised by what you've read?
When I review books for professional journals then I'm sent them in the mail without knowing what they will be. I can request specific titles if I'm looking forward to something, but I don't often get it. I pick my own books for review on my blog. Often I'll read quite a few books, but only review a handful. The ones that really stick out for me (for good or for ill) are the ones I write about. And yes, I'm often surprised by what I read. A book that everyone and their mother has enjoyed will sometimes comes across as horrid. Or I'll find a small unassuming gem from a small publisher that nobody's talking about. Small gems are my favorite things to find in a given year.
We love a good gem too! What are the best ways to find new books? Any advice for authors about getting their book noticed by reviewers? Well, depends on what kind of reviewers you mean. Your publishing company will send out books to the professional journals, so no worries there. Sometimes they will also have a handful of ARCs or F&Gs that you may suggest be sent to one blogging reviewer or another. Be warned that just because you send a title, even autographed, to a blogger that does not guarantee a review. I suggest you look through the different bloggers out there, read their reviews, and find the ones that best suit your book. The last thing you want to do is send a YA novel to a site that only reviews picture books or a verse novel to someone who hates poetry. Interestingly enough I tend to pay more attention to a book if it's sent to me by an editor rather than the author themselves. If I'm not familiar with a writer, I trust that their editor knows enough to pick and choose what they send to me. Authors are always going to think their book is great. Editors are more choosy. I pay attention to that.
Great advice! So you get a book, but let's say you really aren't feeling it—will you make the ultimate sacrifice and finish it for the sake of the review?
Professionally I always finish a book. Always. And even when I'm reading a book for potential review on my blog, I do try to finish them. Once in a while the book is just so ludicrously terrible that I have to stop, but that tends to be the exception rather than the rule. I'm so picky on what I pick up in the first place that I rarely put anything down on a whim. When I start, I like to see it through.
And if you really love a book—will you read it again? If so—what are some of the books you just had to read more than once?
In theory, I guess. But I just don't have time these days. Between my blog and my professional life as well as my library, I'm always reading several things at once. One of these days I'll get back into rereading. But for now it's just a lovely pipe dream. I can say sincerely that the books I have reread for fun have included things like Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury and 90% of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe series of mystery novels. Oh! And A.S. Byatt. I've lots of her stuff read and reread. She's painful but I love her.
Do you have a basic philosophy on what should be included in a review—or does it depend on the book itself?
On my blog I have several rules. First of all, I almost never do a critical review of a first-time author's title. Professionally I'll do it, but there's no reason to do it blogwise. I'll change this rule if a big publisher's marketing machine has revved up or if they're a celebrity author. Then they're fair game. Critical reviews always contain some positive notes, just as positive reviews should always contain some critical notes. Unless, of course, the book is so good that you can't find anything you'd want to change in it. That happens sometimes too. And books that don't spark my interest one way or another usually sit on my To Be Reviewed shelf until the end of the year, whereupon they are donated to the library.
As for the book that did more than just spark your interest--tell us about the last time your jaw dropped open, you laughed, or you cried while reading a book.
Honest-to-god, this happened just the other day. I have an Advance Reader Copy of the Suzanne Collins novel Hunger Games. Collins is an author you may know from her Gregor the Overlander series. This new book has been getting rave advance reviews hither and thither, and I had a hard time believing it was as good as everyone said. So I pick it up and weirder still it's a dystopian novel. Dystopian novels, by and large, aren't that gripping. I say that, but this book grabbed me by the throat and would not let go. I do much, maybe even most, of my reading on the New York subway system. This book not only began to mess with my mind (I'd step onto the platform at my stop and suddenly wonder if hidden cameras were tracking my every move) but when a beloved character died in the book I began to choke up in front of every jaded New Yorker in my car. Come October, I'm gonna be highly recommending that everyone read Hunger Games.
Oh wow. Let's hope there aren't any hidden cameras tracking our every move! But speaking of books coming to life--is there any character in a book that you wish would come to life? Or any place you wish existed?
Hmmm. Always an embarrassing question to give to a children's librarian. I'm going to pass on the character question, not because I don't have an answer but because it truly shows my nerd colors in all their sickly green glory. I do wish, on some level that (here it comes) Hogwarts existed, but maybe just because I'd love to work in the school library. Now THAT's a dream job!
LOL, you're not the only one who's mentioned Hogwarts! What books do you find yourself recommending over and over and why?
Good ones, typically. Oh, but as a librarian I get the same requests over and over. "My son only reads Captain Underpants. What can I do to get him reading other books?" Or "Do you have anything exactly like Eragon?" But I have a few books I turn to over and over. They fit certain categories.
For people who want something so new it defies description:
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
For kids who want someone to bring the funny:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
For tween girls who want something that looks old but is just right for them:
Shug by Jenny Han
For kids into ghost stories:
A Drowned Maiden's Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz
For kids who want something really really scary:
The Spook's Apprentice - Revenge of the Witch by Joseph Delaney
My favorite fantasy of last year:
Faeries of Dreamdark - Blackbringer by Laini Taylor
My favorite graphic novel of this year:
Jellaby by Kean Soo
Great list! Okay, we're getting toward the end here, it's time for the Extra Scandalous Question! The blog readers need to know: really bad reviews—do you ever fear giving them? Ever had an author get upset with you? (It's okay—you can tell us, just don't name names!) And what advice do you have for authors who get a bad review?
Oh yes. Yes yes yes. I used to do more, back when I only reviewed on Amazon. In fact, I got a very angry email on Thanksgiving Day from a well-known author. It wasn't even for a new book but one of his older (and definitely not as good) titles. I could only assume that he was drunk since what major author cares about Amazon reviews on Thanksgiving Day? I wouldn't change my opinion but I did say that I'd write an afterword in which he could state his own views. He was contrite the next day (hence my drunk theory) and so it went. On my blog, no one has ever objected to a negative review to my face. I always remember who I've made them for, however, and I always keep one eye out at book parties just in case I run into them.My advice regarding bad reviews comes from Roger Sutton. He once said this about reviews and I don't think I could possibly say it better."I once read an interview with soprano Dawn Upshaw, who said that she never read reviews of her performances but trusted her husband to do so and share with her any excerpts that could be useful in making her a better singer omitting those that would make her head explode from vanity or dismay. You might want to consider this."
That is excellent advice! One last question: if they aren't scared off by all that bad review talks and an author would like you to review her book, what should she do?
An author should always e-mail me first, just in case I'm so swamped with submissions that I can't take the time needed to give the book proper attention. Also remember that I do not review YA these days except in very rare moments. If I like the sound of the book I'll pass on my address. Plus I never ever ever do a negative or critical review of a book an author has sent to me personally. Bad form that.
We agree! Thanks so much for stopping by the hot seat and answering all of our questions! Now you may crack open Gollywhopper Games!
Remember leave a comment, and you could win your very own copy of Jody's Feldman's debut book . Fuse #8 has yet to review it, but here's what another reviewer has said about Gollywhopper Games:
"Feldman includes truly despicable villains, unexpected kindnesses, and a surprise ending ... Nonstop action, appealing pencil illustrations, and increasingly difficult brainteasers will keep readers engaged, and readers will pull out paper and pencil to try and solve the puzzles as they work through the book." Booklist
Greenwillow
ISBN: 0061214507
320 pages
Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to catch a quick lunch with author Jody Feldman, whose new book—THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES—has just been nominated for the
American Library Association’s 2009 Best Books for Young Adults.
Jody was on her way to a school visit and feeling in a bit of a whirl from her busy personal life and recent book promotion events which have offered numerous travel opportunities.
As we munched on our Asian-flavored entrees, I asked if she knew that THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES was being considered for the YALSA list.
“I had no idea,” she said. “The book is listed by my publisher for ages 10-14. I guess that makes it borderline young adult.” She explained that she’d been in total shock for at least 10 minutes when she first heard the news.
“How has your life changed since your book has come out?” I asked.
“I’ve not been able to write,” she said immediately. “I’ve been spending more time on publicity, but I’m really looking forward to getting back to writing.” She told me of her new plan to write every morning and leave her afternoons open for publicity work.
When I asked her what had been the most fun and exciting part of her book’s release, Jody said, “Being here and seeing it all happen—the whole bundle of going through what a regular author does. Holding the book in my hand. Getting that connection with the kids. The sense of fulfillment.”
Jody has waited a long time for her well-deserved fulfillment. The idea for THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES first entered her mind nearly 20 years ago as she overheard an unhappy child in the school library trying to find another book with the same feel as Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. She became determined to create a book for adventure-minded young readers. Readers who like puzzles and games and quick-witted contests.
THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES’ journey to print was itself a great adventure—not for the weak of heart. Jody wrote and rewrote the story; she submitted it and received rejection after rejection. She put the story away for a long time, until finally she joined an online writers’ group and began revamping the story yet again. When she finally found an interested agent, Jennie Dunham of Dunham Literary, Jody still had to wait another three years before an editor, Virginia Duncan, at HarperCollins’ Greenwillow imprint ultimately perceived THE GOLLYWHOPPER GAMES’ great potential and helped Jody shape it into the amazing story it is today.
Currently, Jody is working on a new middle grade/young adult book with another seventh-grade boy main character. The book will border on the fantastical—“like you might experience in dreams,” she said.
As we wrapped up our lunch, I asked, ”What advice do you have for writers?”
“If you don’t really, really want to do it (write), don’t do it! Find something else.” She explained how determined writers have to be. “Willing to get down on their knees and scrub the floor sometimes”—knowing that there will be lots of hard work involved in the publishing process. It’s not the glamorous lifestyle so often portrayed in the media.
“And a writer needs to be open to knowledge from wherever you can get it,” Jody said. She likes to listen to kids and adults, to those who like and don’t like her stories. She explained that using all this information can help her write a better story.
I said my goodbyes to Jody as she refilled her to-go cup, fueling up for her school visit in just 15 minutes. She seemed a bit harried but quite happy with her new role as successful children’s author.
Debut Author of the Month: Jody Feldman...
Debut author Jody Feldman's first book, The Gollywhopper Games was just released by Greenwillow a few weeks ago. And thanks to her experience working in the advertising industry, new author Feldman was prepared with an arsenal of promotional tools. Below she tells us about her book and what inspired her to write it (nearly two decades years ago) as well as what she's done to spread buzz for her book, how she found her agent, her thoughts on revision, and more.
For those who don’t know anything about your book, give a quick teaser/summary of The Gollywhopper Games.
Exactly 25,000 contestants will enter, but only one will win what might be the biggest, bravest, boldest kids competition the world has ever seen--The Gollywhopper Games. Gil Goodson may have more reason to win than anyone else. It was, after all, the Golly Toy & Game Company that had had his father arrested and ruined Gil’s life. If Gil can get through the questions, puzzles and stunts, he might have a chance at redemption. Does he have what it takes to win? Do you?
You first began writing Gollywhopper in 1989! What kept you interested in the story for so long? And what was the incident that inspired it so long ago?
Oh, you give me too much credit for my ability to stick with something that long. I’m a fast first-draft writer. I once wrote a novel in 10 days. (Never to be repeated except under bizarre circumstances.) The Gollywhopper Games took me about 3-4 months, puzzles and all. The thought of one 5th grade kid kept pushing me to get it done.
I was volunteering in the school library when that 5th grader rushed in, waving Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, proclaiming it the best book he ever read. When he asked the librarian for something just like it, and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator was checked out, neither she nor his teacher could find anything to satisfy him. It was at that moment I decided to write a book for that kid.
As soon as I finished that first draft, I let it lie on the desk for about 20 minutes before I set about the task of revising, which, at the time, meant an equation like this:
Line Editing + Adding An Extra Character = Full Revision = Mail MS Immediately
Do I need to mention I was young and naïve, and there were no online communities to draw wisdom from at the time? Do I need to mention that no one sent me a contract right away?
I did have enough sense to return from the post office and start writing something new, another middle grade. When I finished that one, I moved on to younger YA, then on to edgier YA, back to younger, trying to find my voice. So while I have a number of manuscripts in my file cabinet, many of which I soon realized, I could file under Novel Writing 101, I always felt The Gollywhopper Games had that something.
I’m not sure what inspired me to bring it out of retirement, make some substantial revisions (I’d learned a lot in 12 years) and submit it for a critique the first time I went to the SCBWI National Conference in LA, but it was a fortuitous inspiration. When your critiquer, an editor, tells you that if, for some reason, you can’t sell the book, you should come back to her, and she’d figure out a way to serialize it to fit her imprint; when you hear that, you know/hope/pray it may just be a matter of time.
How did you find your agent? Can you tell me a little about your path to publication?
The 2002 SCBWI Conference was huge for me. It was there I met agent Jennie Dunham. I didn’t race up to tell her what I wrote. I didn’t give her a pitch. I didn’t talk about me at all. About half an hour previously, she’d finished giving her keynote speech, and I found her almost alone in the lobby outside the auditorium. I merely thanked her for her talk, asked her a quick question about it and left her to the others. I’d achieved my sole purpose in approaching her. I needed to know if I could feel comfortable handing my career over to this stranger. I submitted to Jennie as did so many anonymous others from that conference. In the end, it was the writing that won her over. I know she didn’t remember the conversation.
Before she took me on as a client, she wanted me to understand that I would need to do a rewrite for her, adjusting my main character’s age (from 15 to 12 … what was I thinking, making my MG character 15?). I also needed to understand that my story, not a perfect fit in any genre, might take a while to sell. And even with that initial rewrite, it did take a while. Three and a half years. It was only after a subsequent rewrite, my most significant rewrite in 16 years, that it sold to the fabulous people at Greenwillow the next time out.
That all goes to show, even with an agent, you shouldn’t start spending that advance check of your imagination. I’m very fortunate I have an agent who, I say in my acknowledgments, believed in me sometimes more than I believed in myself.
In a blog post, you mentioned that seven years ago, you were “introduced to the true meaning of revision and the amount of work it takes to stand a chance to succeed in this business.” What’s the true meaning of revision?
True revision means being brave enough to imagine your story could possibly be different than when you first conceived it. It’s easy for writers to believe that what they’ve put into words is the unshakeable truth. They forget that they were the ones who made up the characters, plots and settings. It’s within their power to modify or even destroy what they once thought was essential to the story.
Let me put this into more real terms.
In every version of The Gollywhopper Games, until the one just before it sold, there existed Danny, a graduate student who lived next door to my MC, Gil. The two were almost like brothers. Danny was the device through whom Gil revealed his backstory. Danny was Gil’s confidante. Danny was the one who accompanied Gil to the Games. But why, a rejecting editor (one to whom I’ll always be grateful) said in her letter, why would a 22 year old have such an interest in a 12 year old? What was in Danny’s background that made this relationship work? Had his own little brother died or … ? I didn’t want the story to go there, but something needed to change. I was either brave or desperate when I gave Danny the old Delete Button. But the act of re-imagining the story without Danny, dividing his role among other characters, existing and new, gave the book a better truth.
When the time came to revise for my editor at Greenwillow, I was still scared to death, but I understood what might have to be done. More important, I understood I was capable of doing it.
You’re a member of the Class of 2k8. You’ve already begun doing school visits. You have a YouTube video and a sophisticated looking website. Just how much promotion must a first-time author do?
It’s how much this first-time author must do. My education and background are in advertising, so I am only too aware of the possibilities that exist for promotion. When I had that advance in hand, I decided to reinvest a healthy portion of it in my book. Sure, I would have liked a new sofa for my den, but I figured that would come, and maybe I could add a plasma TV, if I my promotional investment paid off.
I understand this may be unusual among writers, but I think of publishing as a business. If I can positively affect my publisher’s bottom line, I become more valuable. I don’t mean to sound cold, and I rarely think of it so clinically, but that’s how I made my reinvestment decision. I don’t know if my efforts will account for appreciably more book sales, but I do know I would have felt disappointed in myself if sales were less than stellar and I hadn’t tried.
To that end, I have two websites: my personal one and one for the book itself. I also maintian a blog, limiting my entries to the writing and author experience. I hand out bookmarks because it’s easier than spelling “Gollywhopper” and having people remember it. And because my cover lends itself to T-shirts, I couldn’t resist. To have kids be walking billboards for you? Great bang for the buck. I’m excited to cut short a weekend away to go to Des Moines and meet with the Midwest Booksellers Association who have named The Gollywhopper Games a Connections Pick. And while that’s an investment in time only, it’s still great for promotion. I do have that video on YouTube as part of the Class of 2k8 . And I also worked with a group of senior advertising students at the University of Missouri who came up with a whole advertising and marketing plan for me. I haven’t yet decided which of those elements I will use.
But back to the question: What must first-time authors do? Whatever they feel comfortable doing outside one near-essential element. It’s near-essential, today, to have at least some online presence in order to be responsive to readers. That can be as inexpensive as a free blog with weekly entries. It can merely be a simple, static website. But readers expect to find authors online.
I love being accessible to kids who are growing and learning and getting excited about the words and ideas I’ve brought to them. Everything else is just gravy.
How has membership in the Class of 2k8 been helpful?
Anytime you can bounce ideas off, gain support from, borrow the wisdom of 26 other intelligent, energetic and articulate authors, you’re going to come out stronger. We have not only used each others’ strengths and resources to try and reach the booksellers, librarians and teachers who will make our books available to a larger readership, we’ve also relied on each other to become, individually better promoters and better authors. With my background, I was probably capable of tackling all the tasks on my own, but I’ve found I’ve been taken to school a time or two or more and have a stronger promotional portfolio to show for it. And along the way, I have a cheering section, shoulders to cry on and so many new, good friends.
Was your speaking gig at the SCBWI Florida conference the first time you presented to other writers? What was your topic? How did it go?
I loved, loved, loved every minute of that experience. Yes, it was my first time, and I was thrilled to share it with fellow 2k8 member Debbie Reed Fischer (Braless in Wonderland, Dutton, April 2008), another perk of being in the class.
Our official topic title … Jumping Into Bed with the Competition: Can 27 Authors Plan a Mass Promotion and Sell Happily Ever After? We spoke as representatives of the Class of 2k8 on taking what we’ve learned from collaborative marketing and showing authors how to apply it, both on an individual basis and in group situations.
And even though I was speaking well within my comfort zone--harkening back to my advertising/promotional background--I don’t think I ever felt more like an author than I did at that January conference in Miami. I’m hooked, and when I come up for air, I’d love to do it again. And again.
It’s kind of refreshing to see in your bio that you indeed can remember a time when you didn’t want to be a writer, and that you once found writing boring and difficult. Why the change?
You do need to understand that while I never, ever, ever, ever saw myself being a writer, I was always good at it in school. I could write fast. I’d get A's. So I knew I was capable of being a competent writer, but as an occupation? No way. No, thank you. Kill me first.
So I entered college as a psychology major, but found those classes even more unsuited for me than writing. The night I realized I needed to change majors, I sat on the dorm desk, staring into the night from my 8th-floor window. Fifteen minutes later, I had decided that as long as I was at the University of Missouri, on the campus of the one of the world’s top Journalism Schools, I should take advantage of it. I didn’t need to write long, involved articles, either. I could write advertising. It couldn’t be hard to write a few lines to sell something. It wouldn’t even feel like writing. I found it easy and surprisingly fun.
But how did I go from writing 50-word ads to 50,000-word novels? The short version of the time line goes like this.
- Degree in advertising.
- Job as a copywriter.
- Fast writer = spare time most afternoons = boredom at office.
- Wordplay doodling looks like I’m still working.
- Decision to be next Dr. Seuss.
- Realization I’m not Dr. Seuss.
- Stab at other picture books.
- Previously mentioned incident of 5th grader in library.
Puzzles are featured throughout your book. Can you remember a time when you didn’t like puzzles?
No.
Some early memories:
- Watching, fascinated as my mom worked crossword puzzles.
- Being home sick from school, trying to keep my eyes open to watch the morning round of game shows.
- Asking my parents to set up a follow-the-clue treasure hunt with my birthday present at the end of it. (How many kids want to delay getting presents?)
- Figuring out a puzzle-type problem in two minutes when our first-grade teacher Mrs. Gabriel was probably trying to keep us occupied for at least ten. (That’s when she introduced me to Venn diagrams because I couldn’t explain how I came up with answer. The whole process thrilled and fascinated me.)
Kirkus references Roald Dahl’s Charlie books in a review of The Gollywhopper Games. What do you admire about Dahl as an author? How did it feel to read that comparison?
I admire Roald Dahl’s imagination, his ability to go deep and dark, but make much of it seem light and funny. Just as I realized I wasn’t Dr. Seuss, I tell the kids in school presentations, I’m not Roald Dahl, and I never will be. I do, however, hope to find a fragment of his audience.
As for the comparison, I pretty much set myself up for that. It all started with my wanting to write a book for that 5th grader, and it continued with my first submission letter where I mentioned the inspiration. I assume, also, because it’s a strong identifier, the Charlie reference filtered down and fit naturally into the publisher’s marketing of the book.
Kirkus hasn’t been the only one to use the reference. Some haven’t been quite as kind in their comparison; others, though, have been very favorable. Just to have reviewers pick up on that, and show
The Gollywhopper Games playing in the same ballpark as Roald Dahl, is, indeed, an honor.
Are there any other projects you’d like the mention? Any works in progress?
I’d love to mention several projects, and I’d love to give you exact publishing dates, one a year for the next ten years. But … considering I’m not writing fiction in this interview, I can’t. I do have a completed story under review with my agent. I hope that will be my next official book. I have a very terrible first draft completed for Potential Book #3. And I’m halfway through another not-as-terrible first draft of Potential Book #4.
All three of those should find an audience with the same type of readers who will love
The Gollywhopper Games. Stay tuned!
What’s your advice to authors trying to get published?
Find your own 5th grader. She may be 3 years old. He may be 17. Now, write your story with that person at the edges of your mind. Who should be in the forefront? You. You as a kid. What made you choose a book? What propelled you to turn the pages? How did you feel at the end? Use the memories.
Find a way to fit writing into a hectic life on a regular basis. Make a daily date with your manuscript file. Even when you’re sick, you can manage a paragraph on the back of an envelope. A snippet of conversation. A thought. A connection. An idea.
Be open to criticism. Save the defensiveness for the football field or the courtroom. Listen. Absorb. Read. Write. Experiment. Pull out an important scene. Write it a different way. Maybe from a different point of view. What have you learned? How can you make it stronger?
Realize, you need to really want this. You need to have enough passion to push you through yet another rewrite. And another. And another. You need to write because you can’t see yourself doing anything else.
Writing takes time. Writing takes effort. And if you don’t know exactly how to take that next step, remember, the children’s writing community is one of the most supportive group of professionals I’ve ever seen. Ask. Then listen. Then act.
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Very cool. :)
Great interview! And thanks for sharing your list of favorite books!
Great interview! I'm also a huge fan of Jenny Han's SHUG.
Oh, and I loved the Gollywhopper Games, too! I even have an autographed copy!
Great interview- I loved reading it!! :)
That is TOO weird - I was just at the book store with my chinese friend whose English is so-so and she picked up The Spook's Apprentice - Revenge of the Witch, started reading it and decided to buy it. And now I read this. I had never even heard of it before. I asked her if it was scary and she said "YES, very, very, very scary!"
Awesome interview!!
Grace L
Cool interview! I'll have to check out some of those books you reccomended!
Great interview, though I thoroughly disagree with the no-negative-reviews for author-sent books. I don't see how it's bad form to tell an author their book isn't up to par, whether they sent it or not. Makes no difference to me who sent it :)
Enter me in the contest, please!
Steph
Hm. I guess I've used bad form, myself.
Ah well! There's that subjectivity at work again! :-)
Great interview! I love the answers and learning all these great tidbits about Fuse!
i love the story of the fuse 8 name! awesome interview, betsy!
I want to read Shug. It looks cute.
Good interview!
Shug is a really good book!
Thanks for letting us get to know Betsy better. Nice interview!
I loved reading about how Fuse #8 came to be - especially the name! Ah, to be able to correct all woes so easily! :-)
Thanks, Betsy!
Woo, go Fuse! Great interview. I love these reviewer interviews, they're great!
Please enter me in the contest, =)
-Breanna
Wonderful info, Betsy!
-Nancy Viau
Great interview :)
Sounds like fun reads!
I heart Fuse!! Loved hearing the story of how her blog got its name. And now I'm REALLY eager to read The Hunger Games.
Fuse 8- I've had a couple of cars like that! I love that you recommend Drowned Maiden's Hair!